THE LATE ELECTION.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2372, 8 November 1870, Page 2

THE LATE ELECTION.

To the Editor of the Evening Star. Sir—Now that the late election of a representative for the City in room of Mr Bell is over, one is apt to ask himself the question—Why so much excitement for a seat in the Provincial Council for so short a period as a month at most? Three candidates were in the field for the honor—viz , Messrs Bathgate, Fish, and Birch. The latter gentleman’s requisition to stand was the only one I saw. Fortunately, or unfortunately for himself, Mr Birch left town on his own affairs, as he stated, and at a time when, if he meant to contest the election, he ought to have been in town ; but Mr Birch knows his own business best, and f think the other candidates took au advantage of his absence by attacking him unusually sarcastically and severely, especially by cavilling at his conduct in the Assembly, and by reading ex -parte portions of his remarks while there. So far as 1 can observe and understand the only difference betwixt Mr Birch and the other gentlemen might be contained in a nutshell, amounting to a difference of opinion on the Hundreds Act. This Act was passed in the Assembly of 1869 (see Hansard), while Mr Birch was in Dunedin standing for the Mayoralty ; it was amended in the Provincial Council, subsequently transmitted as amended to the General Assembly, Session 1870. was carried there, and became law. Mr Birch voting for the passing of the Bdl. If an error has been committed by this gentleman in supporting this measure, then have 13 members from Otago been in the wrepg? But, sir, my humble opinion is that until this Bill is fairly and impartially tested it will be impossible to discover its short-com-ings or defects. I have attended the various meetings held by Messrs Fish and Bathgate during the late contest, and I have carefully looked over Hansard to discover what flagrant act detrimental to the interest of the Province Mr Birch has been guilty of, and I am bound in fair play to Mr Birch to say that I have failed to find any matter or thing which would lead me, as unbiassed, to the belief that he was actuated by any other than the best motives for the progress of the Province. Doubtless he may have been dubious on some important matters ; what then, have not other men been placed in the same position ? and J make hold to state there are but few men in public trust but on some emergency are placed on the horns of a dilemma. If Messrs Bathgate and Fish intend following politics as a profession the public will have many opportunities of judging of their political consistency. Mr Bathgate in his tour of orations throughout the city certainly made the most of the shortcomings of our legislators while in Wellington ; perhaps he introduced too much egotism, however he made a hit by promising the working men a lien on their labor. I am told the General Assembly alone can do this pieco of legislation, but Mr Bathgate forgot to mention this fact, and so gulled the meetings by his sophistry. With Mr Fish the case is different, he seemed entirely at sea. He certainly read us some quotations from Hansard showing Mr Birch’s inconsistency, but if it be true, as I understand it is, Mr Fish was an out-and-out supporter of this Hundreds Bill—but then Mr Fish was not at the thus an aspirant for legislative honors —this gentleman has more than once changed his mind for example, the Gas Question. So, sir, you will perceive others than Mr Birch would appear a great deal more inconsistent if their public careers were analysed. I trust Mr Fish will give satisfaction to the public as one thing is certain, he and Mr Bathgate have amused public opinion by their statements, and no man's conduct in the Council will be more closely watched than that of the successful candidate. Fair JLT.av.